Evaluation of food banks: an integrative review of national literature

Abstract

This study is an integrative literature review aiming to systematize the scientific and bibliographic publications concerning studies evaluating public food banks according to their operational aspects. Searches were conducted on scientific repositories and websites (government, public institutions, and civil society) whose agendas are related to Food and Nutritional Security between 2010 and 2020. Two hundred forty publications were found and, after eliminating studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, six studies were included. Eight aspects were identified: management; audience and benefited entities; articulations; donors; infrastructure; foods; hygienic-sanitary control; complementary actions. The results of the studies pointed:  low institutionality of the food banks with the public authorities; insufficient and unsustainable human resources and with high turnover; relationship with benefited entities limited to the donation of food; educational actions mainly of training for food handlers; fragile relationship with its donors; improvements in infrastructure; inadequacies of hygienic-sanitary conditions; and a strong relationship with the Food Acquisition Program. Evaluation studies contributed to identifying critical points for the advancement and sustainability of food banks in the country.